Rail Industry News
Ontario pension fund, rail holding company to acquire five short lines
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 7, 2020) An Ontario pension fund is joining with Jaguar Transport Holdings LLC and Jaguar Rail Holdings LLC to acquire five U.S. short lines, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) documents. Full story: Progressive...
These are the cuts MBTA is discussing for its trains, buses and ferries due to COVID-19
(Source: Boston.com, October 6, 2020) BOSTON — As much as the MBTA had mapped out ambitious plans to improve future service, the transit agency’s leaders have made one thing increasingly clear in the wake of the crippling financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic:...
Norfolk Southern: Impairment charge to help lower Q3 operating expenses
(Source: Freight Waves, October 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An approximately $99 million impairment charge will help lower third-quarter operating expenses and operating ratio for Norfolk Southern, according to a company filing late Wednesday to the U.S. Securities...
U.S. freight railroads meeting harvest season needs, say shippers on STB advisory panel
(Source: Freight Waves, October 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite having locomotives in storage and personnel furloughed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. freight railroads have been able to bring back resources and meet the needs for rail...
September 2020 was fourth best intermodal month in history, AAR says
(Source: Railway Age, October 8, 2020) NEW YORK — “September 2020 was the fourth best intermodal month in history for U.S. railroads, as retailers and others restocked their inventories and prepared for the holiday season,” Association of American Railroads Senior...
Q&A: RRB financial reports
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 15, 2020) CHICAGO — As required by law, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) submits annual reports to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance...
RRB Chairman appoints Bartnicki as Attorney-Advisor
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Daniel J. Bartnicki has been named an attorney-advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Erhard R. Chorlé. At the time of his appointment, Mr. Bartnicki was the...
70-pound bear cub at train station delayed NJ Transit rail service
(Source: www.nj.com, October 6, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — A 70-pound bear cub brought trains to a halt as NJ Transit police and other first responders closed the station to keep curious onlookers away from the bear. Full story: www.nj.com
Ogilvie ticket verification booths are a symptom of harmful Metra-Union Pacific conflict
(Source: Streetsblog Chicago, October 6, 2020) CHICAGO — As if safety concerns, a 90 percent drop in ridership, and plummeting ticket revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic weren’t enough to worry about, Metra commuter rail’s ongoing dispute with the Union Pacific...
U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear Indian River County’s appeal of Brightline lawsuit
(Source: TCPalm.com, October 6, 2020) INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Indian River County's appeal of its lawsuit against Brightline and the Federal Railroad Administration. Full story: www.tcpalm.com
Mexican rail blockade continues to affect freight flows
(Source: Freight Waves, October 6, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A railway blockade carried out by teachers and students in Mexico continues to strain commercial cargo movement from the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the country’s key seaports, according to an official...
Hurricane Delta eyeing U.S. landfall later this week
(Source: Freight Waves, October 6, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tropical Storm Delta gained a lot of steam Monday night, quickly becoming the ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season. Full story: Freight Waves
Havre Amtrak still not selling tickets
(Source: Havre Daily News, October 5, 2020) HAVRE, Mont. — The Amtrak station in Havre still has yet to reinstate traditional ticket agents for the Empire Builder despite Congress having ordered Amtrak to do so last year and members of Montana’s congressional...
Amtrak restores more Keystone Service between Harrisburg and New York
(Source: PennLive.com, October 5, 2020) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced today that they have restored some Keystone Service trains between New York and Harrisburg. Full story: www.pennlive.com
CN sets another grain record
(Source: Canadian National press release, October 5, 2020) MONTREAL — As the North American economy continues its recovery, CN is pleased to announce that its people moved 7.76 million metric tonnes (MMT) of grain in the third quarter of 2020 and that September marked...
Operation Lifesaver education materials going virtual
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, October 5, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver Inc., (OLI), the national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safety around trains and tracks, has reframed some of its most popular education materials into...
NS tracking Tropical Storm Delta
(Source: Norfolk Southern Service Alert, October 5, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern is monitoring Tropical Storm Delta, which is currently expected to impact the Gulf Coast late this week. The New Orleans Flood Protection Authority plans to start closing the...
Canadian railways notch record third-quarter grain haul as global demand continues to grow
(Source: Canadian Press, October 2, 2020) MONTREAL — Canada's two main railways notched another record-setting quarter for grain shipments, benefiting from strong global demand, a bumper crop, efficient cars and more capacity due to smaller hauls of other products...
Winter weather, COVID-19, trade uncertainties factor into Canadian railways’ operational plans
(Source: Freight Waves, October 5, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic could provide an additional layer of challenge as Canadian railways CN and Canadian Pacific conduct their operations this winter. The Canadian government’s...
Permit in hand, entrepreneur advances Alaska-Alberta railway
(Source: Bloomberg, October 2, 2020) NEW YORK — The team behind the proposed Alaska to Alberta railway aims to start prep work for construction in December, with a goal of getting the $17 billion cross-border railroad running by 2025. Full story: www.jwenergy.com
BLET News
In the Line of Duty: Darrell Amerson
Darrell Amerson, a member of BLET Division 230, was killed in the line of duty on July 2, 2010, following an accident in a Norfolk Southern yard in Meridian, Miss.
GC Matt Wilson reelected by acclamation at BNSF/MRL
General Chairman Matt O. Wilson was reelected by acclamation at the BNSF/MRL General Committee’s triennial meetings in Las Vegas on July 2.
Former GIA President Lillie Mae Parker passes away at age 98
Lillie Mae Parker, long-time member and President of the Grand International Auxiliary (GIA) to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2010, at the age of 98.
Dennis R. Pierce new BLET National President; Pruitt elevated to First Vice President, Moates to Vice President
Dennis R. Pierce is the new National President of North America’s senior rail labor organization. Pierce, 51, became the 23rd President in the 147-year history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today following the retirement of Paul T. Sorrow, whose distinguished railroad career spanned 45 years and included 38 years of dedicated service to the Brotherhood.
Final effort to collect dependent Social Security Numbers to comply with new federal law
In order to comply with new federal regulations, all railroad workers covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (GA-23000) and the National Railway Carriers/United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan (GA-690100) must provide Social Security Numbers for their dependents.
Pierce elected President of Teamsters Rail Conference
BLET First Vice President and Alternate President Dennis R. Pierce was elected by acclamation to the office of President of the Teamsters Rail Conference on June 24 at the Rail Conference’s Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas.
BLET member donates bone marrow, helps save a life
Thirteen years ago, Matt Kronyak’s nephew was battling leukemia. Everyone in his family signed up to become a bone marrow donor, but no one was a match. An outside donor was eventually found, and his nephew is now alive and doing well.
Photos available from 83rd annual SMA
BLET members enjoyed four days of education, training and fraternalism at the 83rd annual Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA) in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Worthington reelected Chairman of Utah State Legislative Board
The Utah State Legislative Board held its Quadrennial Meeting in Salt Lake City on May 26. Jeff Worthington was re-elected to the position of Chairman by the 11 Legislative Representatives in attendance.
Teamsters Rail Conference publishes ‘High Alert 2’ report
The Teamsters Rail Conference has issued a letter to all rail conference members of the BLET and BMWED announcing the publication of “High Alert Report 2: Four Years Later Workers Continue to Warn of Security Gaps on Nation’s Railroads.”
